Female Firefighters Elusive in Hiring Process

Shortage of Female Firefighters Consistent Problem Across Nation

CATHEDRAL CITY — More than 150 personnel and community members attended the recent introduction of Medic 22, the department’s fourth fully staffed ambulance. New hires — three men — were selected to staff the fourth rig. All are males. Promotions of a Captain, an Engineer, and a Firefighter were also announced. Again, all men. Noticeably absent were female firefighters,

The new ambulance “represents a major step forward in improving emergency medical services, reducing response times, and enhancing public safety throughout the city.in attendance, and it was a powerful moment of celebration and connection for Cathedral City Fire & EMS, Chief Michael Contreras said before addressing the addressing the elephant in the room.

To answer your questions, “Yes, I’ve made a concerted effort to recruit more women into the fire service, particularly into our Ambulance Operator-to-Firefighter programs,” Contreras wrote in an email. “I’ve personally reached out to all regional paramedic programs, including Moreno Valley College, Crafton Hills College, Saddleback College, Orange County EMT, and most recently, the College of the Desert’s new paramedic program.

“We’ve worked to create pathways for candidates from diverse backgrounds, and we currently have one woman participating in our Ambulance Operator-to-Firefighter transition program. I’m proud of that progress, but I know there’s more to do.”

One of the most impactful efforts we’ve launched is recruiting not only from within our community, but also through our local schools, Contreras said.

Last year, we started our Fire Cadet Program, which currently has 10 students—five of whom are women with more coming on board soon, Contreras said. (Interested students can reach out to Work Based Learning Coordinator Rosemarie Frontero at [email protected] or (760) 770-0100, ext. 2112.)

“This program is designed to expose high school students to the fire service and give them a clear career path should they choose to pursue it. While it will take a few years for these students to complete the necessary education and certifications, we are actively working with them on physical preparation, interview skills, career mentorship, and first-hand exposure to the fire service. We’ve implemented ride-alongs and hands-on training to ensure they understand the profession and feel supported throughout the process.”

The challenge of recruiting female firefighters into the force but isn’t unique to Cathedral City or this chief. Former Fire Chief Paul S. Wilson also attempted unsuccessfully to recruit women.

“This is a persistent challenge across the profession,” Contreras said. “Nationally, women make up less than 5% of career firefighters, and in some EMS systems, female representation can be slightly higher but still underrepresented.”

Some contributing factors include:

• A lack of visible role models or mentors
• Misconceptions about the physical demands or culture of the fire service
• Limited outreach and exposure to the fire/EMS career path at the high school or college level
• Historic underrepresentation that has created systemic barriers to entry and progress

Until recently, the Coachella Valley had no paramedic school. The new program at College of the Desert will be a game-changer in developing more local talent, especially among underrepresented groups, and we’re excited about the inroads we can make with that new partnership.

“We’re also facing a national shortage of paramedics.,” Contreras said. “The job demands high levels of education, responsibility, and often significant student debt, while pay and career advancement can lag. In our region alone, there are currently at least six fire departments actively recruiting firefighter-paramedics. That competition, combined with the existing workforce gap, makes our recruitment and retention challenging for all fire departments.”